Beauty

[surfk]

Here are some potential starting points on free resources which may be able to assist those who need a wig due to cancer illness/treatment but cannot afford them.

I hope the info can be of help to someone out there for whom even an "affordable" wig may be too much for the budget.

Many of the programs include actual fittings which is so important in getting a wig which looks its best and is most comfortable.

I only wish to see people look their best with dignity.

And slapping any ol'thing on one's head is not the best or only alternative out there.

Here are five places to look for a free wig during cancer treatment.

American Cancer Society
1-800-227-2345
The American Cancer Society accepts donations of wigs, which they collect in wig banks at their local chapters. These wigs have been cleaned and kept ready for use. If you have no health insurance and are in need of help, contact your local American Cancer Society office and ask about patient services. Some of the wigs are distributed through ACS and some are given out at local Look Good Feel Better meetings, along with cosmetics and head coverings.

CancerCare
1-800-813-HOPE (4673)
As part of their Women's Cancer Program, CancerCare offers financial assistance and counseling, support groups, and patient education. They also provide free wigs and breast prostheses to women who have lost their hair or a breast as a result of their cancer treatment.

Breast Cancer Network of Strength
1-800-221-2141
When the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization changed its name to Breast Cancer Network of Strength, it didn't change its mission.
BCNS provides wigs, prostheses and mastectomy bras to women whose budget just won't stretch to cover the cost of those items. Contact them to find out where the closest affiliate office is located that has a Wig & Prosthesis Bank. BCNS offices often have salons where women can try on items before taking them home.

Crickett's Answer for Cancer
1-301-935-4411
This nonprofit organization provides free wigs, mastectomy products, mastectomy and lymphedema massage, facials, and other pampering services, as a way to keep a woman feeling feminine and beautiful despite losing her hair and/or breasts. Crickett's was founded in honor of Crickett Julius, who passed away in October of 2006, only four months after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 39. Crickett's is based in south central Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. areas. Carole Trone, a co-founder of Crickett's says, "We provide assistance to women all across the U.S. We mail or email an enrollment packet, and then either order wigs online or arrange for other products or services with vendors in the client's local area."

Wigs for Well-Being
http://cancer1source.org/wigs-well-being

Need help paying for your wig or hair piece during or after cancer treatment?
We may be able to help.

Who is Eligible?
Wigs for Well-Being was created by The Salon at 10 Newbury’s owner, Patricia Wrixon to assist people who may not be able to afford the out of pocket costs related to wigs and hair pieces related to an unexpected hair loss.

You may be eligible for this program if you answer yes to each of the following questions:

My household income is below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL)
I have been diagnosed with cancer
I have or expect to have hair loss as a result of my treatment
I have a doctor order or referral for a wig or hair piece
My insurance does not pay for wigs and hair pieces /I cannot afford the out of pocket costs to purchase a wig or hair piece

How the Program can help

If approved for the program, all expenses related to the hair loss consultation, cap fitting and delivery of the wig or hair piece is covered by the program.

Pay It Forward
When your hair has grown back and you feel ready to show off your chemo curls, donate your wig to a cancer support organization, so someone else can enjoy it. If you have trouble finding a place that will take donated wigs, contact your local hospital and ask if they have a cancer clinic - they may be looking for donations of cancer care items. You may also donate money to registered charities that supply wigs to women who are in treatment for breast cancer but cannot afford the price of a wig. Having a flattering wig can help a woman feel that she looks attractive -- this can lift her spirits greatly during a time when she is fighting cancer. After a wig has served you well, consider giving it a new life with another survivor.

[Katcat1]

I thought Mary Beth looked good.  I would like to see the wigs in person.  If they are too shiny, you know it's a wig.

[Reba055]

Sherri is entertaining but those wigs are horrid. I agree with another poster that there are affordable wigs out there that look much better. They are way too shiny, like wigs from many, many years ago. 

[MENTL]

I haven't seen Marybeth is a few months and was a little shocked when I saw her.  Didn't like the wigs on her at all, really aged her.  I have to admire a woman that is aging naturally and says no to plastic surgery, I guess.

[June222]

Most people know if someone is wearing a wig....but, sometimes not..... One time at a job I was checking out a customer and commented how pretty her hair was...she whispered to me it was a wig. I told her not to tell any one as it looked like real hair.

Like makeup or jewelry, a wig can be a type of adornment these days. I think a fun wig is just great! Why not!  

[panda1234]

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@surfk wrote:

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@violann wrote:

What an absolutely AMAZING thread this is!

Can it be possible that NONE of you have ever experienced the diagnosis, the anxiety, the preliminaries, the decisions, the pain, the embarrassment, the nausea, fatigue, depression of suffering an illness related hair loss?

Have you never had to make the decision between paying a medical bill and having to decide which one needs to be paid first, so that neither are sent to collection?

No one knows how it feels to refuse to do typical daily activities out of fear that someone sitting behind you in Church will mock you?

Look through the reviews of these wigs. You will find joy filled reports of women who "....feel like a woman again....." ".....feel like I did before......"

It takes NO COURAGE to make scathing remarks anonymously, but it takes PLENTY of courage to put your makeup on and slap on a wig and leave your house wearing a $60 wig and a big smile.

I'm a proud wig wearer, and not bothered a bit by the opinions I've read here, but I care about what happens when a women loses her hair AND her dignity because someone amuses themselves by taking a cheap shot.

Re-read the comments here and see if you'd like anyone saying them to your sister, or grandma, or best friend.

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Sorry. But that argument doesn't cut with me.

I feel for anyone suffering from illness and experiencing severe hair loss due to any sort of treatment and/or condition.

That, though, ought not be a defense for a cheap-looking wig atop one's head.

If money is the issue, there are sometimes programs to help assist those who need wigs due to cancer treatment.

Or it would be nice to see others possibly know the need and chip in as to buy a beloved friend or relative a quality wig while she is enduring whatever illness.

But again, none of that has to do with excusing a very fake looking wig.

Better to wear a turban, I always say, I mean, I like a turban on a woman more than I hate to see her in a ridiculous excuse for a wig. You don't want to look like some cheap blow-up doll as you're leaving the house.

One doesn't want to take a bad situation and make it worse.

The concept of a wig is to look better or more natural. And many wigs can do that.

Just not these.

Heck, even a great hat is preferable to seeing someone whose head looks like it was once used in a Brillo commercial.

And I only say all of this out of love and respect for anyone so needing help.

Its not helpful to let people walk out of the house looking silly. There are better solutions than that out there.

Here is a pic of one of the wealthiest and most glamorous women in the world, Sheikha Mozah.

She's known for her high fashion taste...and her turbans.

While she wears them as she is Muslim, being the wife of a Qatari prince, she does it with confidence and panache.

But the greatest fashion designers in the world design for her...literally from head to toe.

She has a doctorate and is married to the former Emir of Qatar, a member of Qatari royal family. She's a very intriguing and interesting woman.

She wears everything from Chanel and Armani to J. Crew. She's one of the world's most influential women.

And she's always in a turban.

So my advice is to become a Sheik's wife and....

No, my advice to those trying to figure out what they can afford is that if the look of hair is either unaffordable or just never looks right on you, the turban is a great alternative if you can rock it.

And its only as expensive as you want to make it. Heck, hot glue more realistic hair (just buy an extension), add it to the front and you look glamorous and save moolah (not to be confused with Mozah, of course).

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Very attractive woman. The clothes are beautiful.